I love giving dogs food puzzles and have a step-by-step plan that I believe will build confidence, end frustration and grow resilience for puppies and dogs of all ages. Strategic use of food puzzles creates essential coping skills, provides enrichment, and helps dogs work through failure in training, which we all need because we are human and will make mistakes. I’m covering how to use food puzzles effectively with tips on what to do and what to avoid.
In this episode you’ll hear:
- All about food puzzles and their benefits.
- The categories and types of food puzzles, from easy to complex.
- Common mistakes when using food puzzles and how to avoid them.
- The importance of challenging and varying food puzzles for dogs.
- About safety tips and cleaning guidelines for food puzzles.
- My personal observations and theories on the impact of food puzzles on dog behavior.
- What the benefits of food puzzles are for coping with frustration.]
- The categories of food puzzles and their uses.
- About using high-value treats and appropriate challenges.
- How to manage resource guarding and dog interactions when using puzzles.
- The strategic use of food puzzles and puppy independence.
- The importance of variety and measuring food rations.
- The importance of safe practices and cleaning food puzzles.
- The strategies I recommend when using food puzzles.
Homemade Dog Treats:
- Grab your free eBook on Homemade Dog Treats for high-value rewards to use in your food puzzles - https://dogsthat.com/tastytreats/
Hand Targets:
- Get the Hand Target Game and more in our FREE Hand Target Masterclass while it’s running - https://dogsthat.com/celebrate-together/
ItsYerChoice Game:
- Learn “ItsYerChoice” for free - ItsYerChoice Summit
Get Crate Games Online:
- Crate Games is the fun and fast way dogs learn many skills for daily life and dog sports - Crate Games Online
Resources:
- Podcast Episode 239: Barking Dogs! How To Help Your Dog Be Quiet And Stop Annoying Barking
- Podcast Episode 263: Breaking Down Dog Behavior Problems: Insights From The Top 10 Frustrations
- YouTube Playlist: Reactive or Aggressive Dogs: Key Insights with Susan Garrett
- * Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl, Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
- * West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Treat Dispensing Dog Toy Puzzle
- * KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy
- YouTube Video: DIY Puppy Bombs: Easy & Affordable Enrichment Toy for Puppies
- Recallers Tasty Treats Recipe eBook
- YouTube Playlist: Resource Guarding In Dogs and Puppies with Susan Garrett
- Podcast Episode 200: Solve Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety With FRIDA: Expanding Calm With Functional Relaxation
- YouTube Playlist: Dog Training Games with Susan Garrett
- Nina Ottosson Food Puzzles
- Watch this Episode of Shaped by Dog on YouTube
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Susan only recommends products she uses herself, and all opinions expressed here are her own. The link above is an affiliate link that, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission if you decide to buy from it. Thank you!
My 4 month old puppy is extremely food motivated. He’s also a fast eater so I tried a slow feeding dish but instead of eating slowly he picks it up and flips it over, making the food fly all over including outside his crate. It feels like too much frustration, so I went back to a regular dish but he finishes too quickly and his manners aren’t great yet. Ideally he would eat his meal in around the same time as our other dog which would make meal times much calmer, especially when I’m not here and someone else needs to feed them. Any tips or suggestions?